Bahrain launches desert cleanup drive

Manama, February 14, 2008

A campaign to keep Sakhir camping areas in Bahrain clean has begun with the distribution of 3,000 garbage bags.

The three-day campaign, organised by the Southern Municipality Council, will offer campers 1,000 garbage bags per day as well as brochures on how to keep campsites clean.

"We have printed 5,000 brochures in Arabic and English with information on how to keep the desert and camps clean, and where to put the garbage after leaving camps," said council public relations officer Ghada Abu Fatah.

"The number of campers at Sakhir has more than doubled during the country's annual camping season, which started on January 7.

"Over 1,500 people have so far visited the Sakhir area, where families and young people gather every year during schools' and universities' spring holidays until the first week of February.

"Activities range from playing football and cards, riding motorcycles or sitting around campfires to chat and drink tea.

"However, people throw garbage around without keeping in mind that they are indirectly affecting the environment," Abu Fatah said.-TradeArabia News Service